NBA is planning to introduce COVID-19 booster shots to players, coaches, referees
NBA announced today that players, coaches, and referees should get the booster shots against Covid-19, especially those who previously received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Vaccine boosters will be necessary
According to Shams Charania, NBA and NBPA sent out a statement to all the players, coaches, and referees they should receive a booster shot, especially those that received a single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. After consulting with the NBA's health and infectious disease experts, those who received the J&J vaccine more than two months ago are recommended to take a booster shot. The same applies to those who received the Pfizer vaccine at least six months ago.
The report also says that those who received certain types of vaccines could get a booster from a different manufacturer. According to Associated Press, those who got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine originally to seek a Pfizer or Moderna booster. Those who got Pfizer or Moderna may get whatever booster is available.
Recommended Articles
Game day testing is back
Those players that choose not to get a booster shot will have to be subjected to game-day testing again starting from December 1st. However, that date is not set because it will depend on when the person was initially vaccinated and with which type of vaccine.
Some NBA teams have already started planning for their players to receive their booster shots when available. So far, around 97 percent of NBA players are vaccinated. Obviously, a few of them, like Kyrie Irving, Bradley Beal, Jonathan Isaac, have expressed their opinion and decision not to get the vaccine which is already affecting their careers, with Kyrie being the most exposed and criticized for his decision.